Entertainment
Spelman Suspends Cosby Chair in Wake of Growing Sexual Assault Claims
In this May 14, 2006 file photo, keynote speaker Bill Cosby, left, and Spelman College President Dr. Beverly Tatum talk before the start of commencement at the school in Atlanta. (AP Photo/W.A. Harewood, File)
(Atlanta Journal-Constitution) – The Cosby Chair for the Humanities, a prestigious endowed professorship at Spelman College, funded in part by a $20 million gift that Bill and Camille Cosby gave to the school in the 1980s, has been suspended indefinitely while the comedian and actor deals with almost daily allegations of sexual assaults.
The all-female school confirmed the decision late Sunday after sources tipped off The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“The William and Camille Olivia Hanks Cosby Endowed Professorship was established to bring positive attention and accomplished visiting scholars to Spelman College in order to enhance our intellectual, cultural and creative life,” a school spokeswoman said. “The current context prevents us from continuing to meet these objectives fully. Consequently, we will suspend the program until such time that the original goals can again be met.”
